A state of emergency is a legal declaration by the government of a country that allows them to impose regulations that may override civil rights. It is typically imposed when the authorities are concerned about public safety and order. It also allows them to mobilise more resources for responding to a disaster. It is often a tool used by dictators and authoritarian regimes. However, democracies have also used it to manage a variety of situations from natural disasters to political events and even protests.
The process for declaring a state of emergency is unique to each state and may include a specific definition of the situation that triggers it. It can also identify the geographic area covered, conditions giving rise to it, and the agency or agencies leading response activities. It may also identify state rules and regulations that are waived or suspended during the emergency.
In Hungary, for example, a state of emergency can be proclaimed when armed rebellion or natural and industrial disasters occur. The period of the emergency usually lasts for 30 days but can be extended. While most civil rights can be suspended, the constitution specifies that basic human rights such as the right to life and freedom of religion cannot be infringed during the state of emergency. The parliament can also not be dissolved and elections for local government bodies or referendums can not take place during the state of emergency.
In the United States, a governor may request a presidential declaration of emergency to activate federal programs for responding to and recovering from disasters and emergencies. The Stafford Act stipulates that the governor must first certify that the disaster or emergency meets certain criteria.